From apprentice to young professional

Katie Commons completed her first year at university and realised that she wanted to learn in a more hands on way and follow her passion for business. With leaving university, she needed to find her next steps so she could meet her new career goals.

This is when Katie was hired by EN:Able Futures as part of the Flexi-Job Apprenticeship Service that matches businesses with future talent. As part of her apprenticeship, Katie was hosted by WDH so she could get more hands-on experience within the Procurement team alongside her studying.

With an apprenticeship Katie was able to study a Level 4 Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply qualification alongside relevant work experience and projects.  

In February 2020, Katie met the WDH Procurement team for the first time. In a matter of weeks COVID meant the role Katie had been settling into completely changed.

Katie said, “Suddenly everything was online. Although it was completely different to working in an office, I really appreciated how the team still made the time to check in with me regularly and answer my questions. I really liked that I could learn something as part of my qualification and WDH gave me the opportunity to apply it practically in day-to-day work life. As the world began to open again, I found that hybrid working really suited me and the team.”

After earning her qualification Katie completed an interview and was successful in gaining the role of Procurement Support Assistant at WDH, “I think this apprenticeship and the hands on learning I had was so important for me to get this role. I have found the support through my qualification from EN:Able Futures and WDH helped me work on my confidence, as well as my interpersonal and practical skills.”

Katie is now looking forward to the future, “I am currently settling into my new role and enjoying taking on more projects and responsibility. I hope in the future I will have the chance to complete my level 5 qualification. The sky really is the limit!

“I would really recommend an apprenticeship to anyone considering one, it is invaluable to learn something and instantly apply it practically in the workplace.”

Paul Clarke, Categories Manager at WDH said, “Katie has been a great asset for the team, and it has been wonderful to see her grow into the professional we see today. I think apprenticeships are great for investing in young people and nurturing professionals of the future.”

Pictured: Hannah Norton, Apprenticeship Manager at EN:Able Futuresand Katie Commons, Procurement Support Assistant at WDH